Still think big beauty has your best interests at heart? The problem is multi-faceted, but stems from the lack of regulation around what’s allowed to be included in personal care products in the United States. Currently, we only ban 11 ingredients because of their known toxicity, while the European Union bans more than 1,300. And the most comprehensive legislation regarding this issue was passed in 1938—but it barely touched on personal care products, focusing more on food safety.

All of this is why it’s more important than ever to be educated on the ingredients in our personal care products. The ability to read an ingredient label is now a superpower—but it’s one that everyone should have! Spending your money on brands that already use high-quality, plant-based ingredients that are ethically sourced is the key to changing the face of the industry. Voting with your dollars tells big beauty companies that we will no longer stand to be marketed to with lies about how toxins will make us beautiful. And it’s clear that it’s working: Turn on your TV or open a fashion magazine and you’ll see traditional beauty products that have been greenwashed to consumers who think that the label “natural” actually means something.

It can be overwhelming, to figure out what ingredients and brands are safe, but we totally believe you can do it! Here are a few ways we want to help make it easier:

Ask questions! If it’s not clear on a website or a brand’s packaging what they’re actually using in their products, don’t be afraid to reach out and (kindly) demand that info. Your health is worth it!

Learn about labeling. The terms “natural” and “green” aren’t regulated, so make sure you keep your eyes open for Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified, ECOCERT and EWG Verified labels that mean the product had to go through rigorous testing by a third-party to get to use the logo.

Never doubt that a small, committed group of people can change the world. Indeed, it is all that ever has. —Margaret Mead, paraphrased